But where does the law overrule morals and righteousness? Where does it limit us? How many people get away with doing terrible things to others just because they do it in a way that’s technically legal? You can be a miserable human being without ever breaking any laws. Does that make you right? In my opinion, no.
Laws are supposed to reflect a society’s moral compass, but they’re created by people, and people are flawed. They’re driven by power, money, and whatever else serves their personal agenda most. Socrates knew this. He was sentenced to death for “corrupting the youth” and questioning the gods, both illegal charges at the time. But today, that execution would be seen as completely unjust. So if the law is meant to uphold justice, but can be twisted to silence truth and punish the innocent, clearly, legality isn’t the ultimate measure of what’s right.
Let’s consult with another respected thinker: Aristotle.
Aristotle believed in something called natural law. He argued that real justice doesn’t come from man-made rules, but from reason and morality itself. But what happens when the laws we create don’t match up with that? Take slavery, for example. It was legal for centuries. Entire economies were built on it. And yet, even then, people knew deep down it was wrong. So again we see, just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s right. Similarly, just because something is illegal doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong.
So the law, while necessary, is also often deeply flawed.
A company can legally dodge taxes, exploit workers, and destroy the environment without facing any real consequences. A person can manipulate, lie, and hurt others while staying perfectly within the bounds of the law. So what do we do? Do we just obey whatever’s written in the rulebook, or do we take responsibility for something bigger? Because at the end of the day, the law tells you what you can do. It doesn’t tell you what you should do.
And that’s where personal responsibility comes in. If we know the law isn’t always just, we need to build our own sense of what’s right and wrong. One that isn’t based on fear of punishment, but on actual integrity.
Most decent humans instinctively recoil at injustice. There’s something inside us, a moral compass, that recognizes when something isn’t right, even when the law says otherwise. (Though some people are selective about this; they only understand fairness when it serves them, but fail to extend it to everyone else…)
Me? I’ve never been one for the rules; not the imposed ones, anyway. I prefer to make my own. By that, I don’t mean bending the world to my favor so I get everything I want. No. I mean that I try to set my own standards for how I expect myself to behave, not just because it’s legal or illegal, but because it’s what I believe is right.
But don’t worry, I (mostly) stay within the bounds of the law. Well… not today.
I’ll confess, I broke the law.
This afternoon, I arrived at my go-to beachside spot for lunch. I was craving a swim, so I grabbed my bag to change into my bikini.
”Crap..” I thought to myself.
I forgot my top.
“Vietnam seems pretty conservative.” I reasoned. “Swimming topless? Probably not legal.”
Fortunately for me I’ve always been a bit of a rebel. A free spirit, with a wild heart. So, of course, I decided to go anyway.
As I ran toward the water, I bumped into a friend having a walk on the beach.
“Hey! How’s it going? Quick question. Is swimming topless in Vietnam legal?”
My friend, with a look of surprise and mild disdain, replied: “Obviously not.”
“I figured. Thanks.”
I looked at the ocean, and turned back to him, smiling and shrugging my shoulders.
“Oh well, Nico. Sometimes in life, you just have to break the rules.”
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